Bike riding in Bariloche

We arrived in Bariloche after a 22 hour bus ride from Buenos Aries (albiet a pretty roomy nice bus), the sun was shining and it was absolutley beautiful scenery.  I was totally gob smacked (even as we entered the area on the bus) how much like Queenstown and Wanaka this is! The colours of the lake and the trees, the wooden lodges, the little town - there was even a steamboat on the lake that i had to rub my eyes when I saw to check it wasn´t the Earnslaw on lake Wakatipu. 

Bike riding - Llao Llao

It can be frustrating arriving at such  beautiful places in such  nice weather when you feel jaded from the journey there - and not up to getting totally amongst it when you really want to!  So for the rest of the day - we wondered around the town, sussed out bikes to rent for the next day and commiserated the AB´s world cup loss - what a shocker!  Especially here in Argentina (another rugby nation) as everyone is keen to talk about how awesome the All Blacks are - geez, I really thought this was our year! 

Hannah and the 7 lakes

The next morning (great weather) we got up and went and picked up some mountain bikes - bought a good map and decided on a trail (on the road) that we could see some of the 7 lakes in the district.  This was supposed to be 65 odd km´s of up and downhill riding - but i dont think either of us thought how tough this would be - especially on our arse´s!  We stopped at a really good supermarket on the way and picked up a wee picnic of smoked trout, tomatoe´s, crackers and fruit - yummy!  We then rode to a chair lift (again - so much like the gondola in Queenstown) which had the most amazing views of the lakes from the top. We had our wee picnic and then continued our ride of the penninsula - going past the posh lodge Llao Llao on the way (felt very mongrel with biking clothes and sweat when we rode to the entrance and got a snobby glance from the door man! Oh well!).  Unfortunately we missed the vital turn onto the shortcut rode that meant we wouldnt have to climb up the steep hills about 35km into it......I was wondering why it was so god damn tough for a while there!  At the steepest part - when i was well buggered - I relented and climbed off my bike....bad move.  From a side property came flying 4 big ferral dogs...highly excited by Paul riding past on his bike.....sh*t!  One took a swipe at Pauls leg - and then saw me walking my bike just behind....so trying not to ooze fear (which I was) i walked with my head high as they came around to check me out - they cntinued to bark and gather round for what seemed like ages - and finally lost interest after about 5 mins....was very very freaky!  Most dog owners here take little or no responsibility for their pets - and when they are in a pack situation like that - you often see them chasing bikes and even cars!  Crazy! We then found our turn off - a little too late - and found out it was now shorter to turn back and go the main road home (an extra 6kms!) - also quite freaky with all the traffic and huge tours buses passing - a total of 72km´s I reckon - the pain set in as we dismounted our bikes at the shop - and hobbled home for more smoked trout and an early night.  It was a good day´s riding in some very beautiful scenery.  Stoked.

Paul and the 7 lakes

I hear that the weather is turning rainy tomorrow so I think we will carry on across the border to Valdivia in Chile - upon Diana´s T´s advice. 

Lots of love, xo

Riding the chair lift

Steam ship